Plug connecter



1934- E. F. ANDREWS 1,969,345

PLUG GONNECTER Filed July 10, 1930 i 1 w v I v 26 in I H .53

allllla u Jkd972% (fawardfizrdmws V I fw Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED TES PATENT OFFICE- 1,969,345 PLUG CONNECTER Edward F. Andrews, Chicago, Ill. Application July 10, 1930, Serial No. 466,946

2 Claims. (01. 173334) This invention relates in general to connecters adapted to be removably inserted or plugged in domestic electric lighting outlets for supplying energy to electrical apparatus, and has more particular reference to such a connecter for conveniently connecting radio sets to the electric outlets. v

A primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel connecter adaptable for conveniently connecting a radio receiving set with a power supply source, and which will provide convenient terminals or binding posts for the ground and antenna connections of the radio set. v

An important object of this invention is the provision of a novel connecter device or member for plugging in an electric outlet, which will permit the use of a minimum number of separate connections extending to a radio receiving I set.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a novel connecter having a plug member and a socket connectible with electric outlets, which prevents connecting the plug member into the socket member in any but ,a predeterber to connect said electric outlet with a plurality of electrically operated devices. 7

Other objects'and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thetfollowing description and from the accompanying drawing, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a domestic electric outlet provided with a socket member embodying some of the features of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the connecter shown in Figure 1, connected to a radio receiving set.

Briefly, the invention contemplates the provision of a double socket member having terminal or contact leaves projecting from an end thereof, and receivable in an electric outlet for connecting the electric outlet to a plurality of terminals or contacts concealed within the body of the socket. Another terminal or contact is connected internally of said socket to a binding post projecting from one side of the socket and still another terminal is connected to another binding post projecting from the other side of the socket. This socket is;.provided with an outlet adapted to accommodate a usual outlet plug for supplying current to electrical devices. I

The terminals or contacts concealed within th socket are adapted to make contact with a plurality of plugs projecting from an end of a con-- necter plug member and receivable interminal Y holes or slots extending longitudinally of the socket, and these plugs are connected within the plug member to a plurality of conductors which may extend to any electrically operated apparatus for supplying current thereto.- 7

While the connecter plug of the invention is adapted for general use asa means for connecting electrically operated apparatus to an electric outwhichpermits running all of these conductors in v a single cable to the radio set, and contemplates further the provision of a plurality of the sockets to be positioned in different electric outlets scattered over the house, whereverit is desired to operate a radio receivingset. 'By so providing these sockets inthe desired electric outlets, only a single plug willbe required to connect the radio setto any desired socket, thereby permitting changes in the location of the radio receiving set. 7 It willbe understood, of course, that separate antenna and ground connections may be made to each socket or a common antenna and ground connection may be made to ground and antenna leads of a plurality oi-sockets variously located within the house. r V

For the accomplishment of the foregoing ob jects, the drawing shows conventional electric outlets 11, mounted on a wall 12 by means of outlet mounting plates 13, and a novel socket, generally designated by the reference character 14. Each socket 14 for the purpose of making electrical connections with the outlets 11 is provided at one end with the usual terminal leaves or contacts 15, which are adapted to be received in recesses or slots in the outlet 11 and to securely hold the socket in place when so plugged in the outlet. The sockets 14 may be made from molded hard rubber composition or any other suitable insulating material which is non-absorptive.

The terminals or leaves 15 are connected, as

extending within the terminal holes 23 and 24,

formed in the socket holes 17 and 18. v

The terminal or binding post 19 is adapted for connection with a conductor 25, which is con- 14 parallel to the terminal nectible with the antenna of a radio receiving set 20, and the terminal 21 may be connected with a conductor 26 oonnectible with ground;

A connecter plug member 27 is provided to-"cooperate with the sockets 14 for connection through a cable 28 to electricallyoperatedap paratus, and for this purpose is providedwithay plurality of plugs or terminals 29 and 31, receivable 'inthe terminalholes' 1'7 18,-23'and 24 ofeach socket. is and connected'to wires or 'c0nduc-- tors 32 of the cable.

The invention contemplates constructing this separable two-partconnecte'r plug-so that it will not be possible to plug the plug -member 27 into the socket 14 inan improper manner, thereby assuring predetermined connections and polarity.

To this end, the terminal holes 17 and l8-are formed to receive the plugs or terminals 29 and have a smaller 'diameter than the plugs or terminals 31, so that these plugs 31 andthewires in" the cable 28 connected thereto may be connected only to the socket terminals or contacts-within theterminal hole's 23 and-24. i

As already mentioned, the socket contacts or terminals in the terminal" holes '17"and 18 are connected internally of'the's'ocket 14 to the leaves 15 iorreceiving electrical energy fromtheoutlet 11, and the plugs 29' are-adapted-to contact with these terminals within thete'rminal holes 17 and 18. When the connect'e'rplug isused-with a radio receiving set, theseplugs 29 connect-with wires 32 for supplying current to the filamentsof the amplifier, detector, andpower-tubes, -and-to the rectifier plate.- Theplugs 31' receivable 'intheterminalholes 23 and 24 may connect with the ground andantenna terniinals 18 and-19 respec'-- tively, and may be connectedthrough the cable to "the input of the amplifie'r, as will-readily be understood by one' skilled in the art.

It I is sometimes desirable: touse'anele'ctricoutletsupplying energy to a-radio set to supply cur rent to other electrically operated deviceswi-thout 'disconnectingthe set. For thispurpose the socket 14 is rormedwitha plug-recei'vingoutlet 33'to accommodate a usual -outlet'plu'g34 for con nectionby mean's of a-c'able'=35 with such devices.

The outlet plug 35 has theusual contact leaves- 36 receivable in terminal holes 3'7- for connection,"

a's illustr'a'ted at 38, withtheleaves 15.- Thus the socket 14 may be used to connect the outlet 11 to a radio set by means of the connecter plug 27 and to other electrical devices by means of the outlet plug 34.

The connecter of the invention prevents improperly connecting a radio set to its power supply and permits the use of a minimum number of conductors extending to the set. By the use of such a connecter, a convenient ground and antennaterminal is providedina compact plug member so that the external connections of the radio receiving set are concentrated at a given location, thereby facilitating the rapid connection of the set for use.

The connecter of the invention avoids the unsightly antenna and ground leads usually conneoted to the receiving set by means of separate conductors-and provides in place thereof a single cable including the energy supply leads and the ground and antenna conductors. I

While =I have illustrated a preferred embodimerit: of. my invention, many modifications may be"made 'without' departing from the spirit' 'of the invention, and I do not wish :to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but 19g desire to avail myself of all changes Within the scope of the appended claims. s

Having thus described my invention, what" I claimis new and desire to secure Joy-Letters Pat ent' of the UnitedState's-is: 1

1. In combination, a plug having a pair of pro jectingprongs adapted to enter sockets" of a' standard household power outlet,'said plug b'e-' ing provided with a face having a pair of sockets connected to said prongs, terrr'iinals'on'said plug 110 for the connection of a'ground andantenna: thereto, a second -pair-of'-sockets in said fa'ce con nected to said connecting terminals, and' a plug associated with -a radio receiving set lraving- 'iour prongs adapted to cooperate with the sockets-of- 15 the face otthe-first said plug; theprongso f the last said plug-being connected to -power; antenna; and ground conductors of'the'set.

2. In combination,- a plughaving a 'p'ai'r of projecting prongs/adapted to enter sc'cket'sfofa lz c EDWARD F. ANDREWS; 

